Capitals Look to Rebound Against Wild After Shutout Loss
The Washington Capitals are gearing up for a challenging face-off against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul this Tuesday evening. The Capitals, who are coming off a tough 3-0 defeat to the St. Louis Blues last Saturday, are looking to turn the tide and get back to winning ways.
Washington's recent offensive struggles were highlighted in their game against the Blues, where they were held without a goal for the fifth time this season. This marks the highest number of shutouts against the team since the 2018-19 campaign. Moreover, the Capitals have found it difficult to light the lamp consistently, scoring one or fewer goals in 16 out of their 44 matches thus far.
In their encounter with St. Louis, the Capitals managed only 18 shots on goal and experienced periods during the game where they failed to register a single shot. Despite these shortcomings, it is worth noting that Washington's defense had previously contained the Blues to just 12 shots on net at even strength.
Following an off day in Minneapolis on Sunday, the Capitals returned to the ice for practice on Monday, determined to refine their game plan and address the issues that plagued them in their recent outings.
Underdog Status and Team Dynamics
As they prepare to take on the Wild, the Capitals are considered underdogs, a testament to the challenges they've faced throughout the season. However, the team boasts notable talent within their ranks. Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome are leading the way for Washington with 28 points each, while defenseman John Carlson has also made a significant impact with his 26-point contribution.
In the crease, goaltender Darcy Kuemper has appeared in 23 games, maintaining a save percentage of .895. His performance will be crucial as the Capitals seek to improve their standing and gain momentum in the latter half of the season.
On the opposing side, the Minnesota Wild have been led by Kirill Kaprizov, who tops their scoring chart with 42 points. Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello have also been instrumental to the Wild's success, amassing 36 and 35 points respectively. Between the pipes, Filip Gustavsson has posted a .896 save percentage, providing stability for the Wild's defensive efforts.
Injury Concerns
Both teams are contending with injury setbacks that could impact their performance. The Wild's Jared Spurgeon is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to hip and back problems, while Sam Hentges is out with an undisclosed injury. Frederick Gaudreau and Marc-Andre Fleury are listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries, and Connor Dewar along with Vinni Lettieri are dealing with lower-body issues.
The Capitals are not without their own health concerns. Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Bäckström are currently out with injuries, leaving noticeable gaps in the lineup. Additionally, Sonny Milano is contending with an upper-body injury that may affect his availability for upcoming games.
Coaching Perspective
Caps' coach Spencer Carbery expressed a determined outlook in light of the team's recent performance. "We're going to get to work," he stated confidently. Carbery acknowledged the shortcomings in the game against St. Louis, emphasizing the need for improvement. "There’s a lot of things that we failed to do in that St. Louis game that we need to do a way better job of offensively," he admitted.
Carbery also indicated that the team has identified specific areas for improvement and has actively worked on them in preparation for the next game. "And so we addressed those, we talked about them, and hopefully we’ll implement those and see those come to life," he said, hinting at potential adjustments fans might witness during the clash with the Wild.
With the Capitals set to battle the Wild on their home ice, both teams will be eager to secure a victory. For Washington, this game presents an opportunity to correct their course and showcase their resilience. As they continue to navigate through the season, the Capitals are aware that every game counts, and a win in St. Paul could serve as a pivotal moment in their quest for success.